Snowfed is believed to be the only newspaper in the Southern Hemisphere owned a local college - Mt Hutt College. We are not a huge corporate, so our prices are kept extremely competitive and comparatively low considering our large circulation. Our small profit margins go back into supporting the educational goals of Mount Hutt College. In 2026 Snowfed will be 40 years old!

Methven first read about a new newspaper venture on a one page flyer in 1986. A grocery hamper was offered as a prize to the person, who chose the most appropriate name, with entries closing at Methven High School.  Advertising rates were outlined, contacts were included. Katreena Glanville and Brenda McGinity were there when there was one advertisement and one news item. The intent of the weekly newspaper was to help raise funds to enable field trips crucial to the then Methven District High School, (later renamed Mt Hutt College) Geography course to be undertaken. The first two editions were named "The Diamond Press."

The venture was the brainchild of Geography teacher, Bruce Dickson, who had seen a similar successful newspaper produced in Reefton. The first edition of “The Snowfed Schoolline” appeared on 7th April 1986 after two editions of The Diamond Press. (The main news item of the first edition was about the weather – over 100mm reported in 24 hours). The “Snowfed Schooline” name was selected by the Geography Students, and submitted by Chris Staples.

The first three editions were published on A4 newsprint and run off on the Mount Hutt Ski Company’s gestetner, thanks to the generosity of Phil Witton. It was made available to use on a Saturday morning. 

The stencils would be prepared and typed at Methven High School on a Friday afternoon. Students brought the information to Nan Leask and Margaret McLeod to type. Using the gestetner was an interesting experience, according to Bruce, "Black ink gestetner stencils and lots of breakdowns. The paper wastage was certainly high. Memories include using the manual gestetner from Our Lady of the Snows School – all that turning of the handle to produce 800–1000 copies each week,” recalls Bruce.

Popularity soon picked up and within four years the Methven Community had accepted it and supported a fundraising effort to buy a printer. Geography teacher, Bruce Dickson, introduced a Media Studies class to produce the weekly paper. There were 16 students producing weekly news items in 1991.

Production and circulation increased, delivered each week not only in Methven but also by the rural mail operators. A second printer was purchased through donations. The production room was now at the end of A Block and more adult help had come on board.

The Snowfed is now printed in Christchurch thanks to the incredible team at Canprint, our much-loved community newspaper is full of colour - a far cry from the days of one colour on a gestetner! The team at Canprint are legends and are committed to supporting us with excellent service all year!

Snowfed has come a long way since it’s humble beginnings, and continues to be a newspaper committed to the Methven and Foothills communities. Now, they have the largest circulation they have ever had. It continues to grow, reaching out onto the Canterbury Plains to State Highway One, to the edges of Ashburton and Rakaia, inland to Mayfield, up the Ashburton Gorge, following the hills to the Rakaia Gorge. Circulation continues to grow and their wonderful advertisers and readers are the prime focus of everything they do - Snowfed heart is with and for the community.

Snowfed remains a true community newspaper!